Molly Monkey

When I was 12 or so, my dad signed me up for sewing lessons during the summer. Sears Sewing School in downtown San Antonio. I remember going to the sewing section and picking out all my supplies. I had a wicker basket with pink fabric and it held all the tools I would need to start my new craft. I remember the sewing room being cold and I was the youngest person there. We went through sewing basics. How to thread a machine, sew simple stitches and cutting patterns. That part was not so difficult. Our summer project was a summer dress of course. I picked a blue and white gingham fabric. I have since questioned my fabric choice. I am so not a fan of blue and white gingham. Anyone ever see me in it? Nope. Never.

I pinned my pattern to the fabric and began sewing away. I really had no problems with it at all. Well, I thought I had no problems until I was required to turn it right side out. Then I realized there was trouble. I sewed the entire piece wrong sides together. Nice. Even better was that I had to model it for the class. Yes, pretty plus girl in a blue and white gingham dress inside out. As Tim Gunn would say…”Make it Work!”

I was blog browsing and came along this sweet site mmmcrafts.blogspot.com Larissa is a local girl. Shout out to the Atl! She has wonderful, creative crafts on her blog and she shares them so graciously. It was on her site that I saw Molly the sweetest little Monkey and knew right away I wanted a Molly of my own. I printed the pattern, which you can find here.

I can sew. I went to Sears Sewing School. I have sewed once in 30 years and that was a pillow. Straight stitches. The pillow came out great. This should be no problem! I went to JoAnn’s to pick up my supplies. It took me over an hour just to pick the fabric! I spent a Friday night cutting out the pattern, cutting fabric and setting up my 1958 Kenmore Sewing Machine. (It belonged to my husband’s grandmother. I am lucky to have it!)

I had a wonderful time with the project. I learned new skills. Bias tape? Yup. I know what that is. I will say the seam ripper was my best friend during this project. (Thanks Betty!)

I photographed the entire process of course and yes as always I have entirely too many photos but it was an opportunity to work on camera skill as well and work it I did!

Well, shout out to you in the ATL, too! I love your colorful Molly, and thanks for the kind words about my blog and the pattern. I had to laugh at your first sewing experience. I still make rookie mistakes sometimes. Just goofy that way!

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[...] peep with a wonderful blog mmmcrafts. I made my first Molly in August 2009. You can take a peek here to see how I made her. She received many oohhhs, and ahhhs from family members and I have many more [...]